Steering column conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Dr.redneck99 · 07-08-2020, 02:43 AM

Greetings all, I'm relatively new to the forum, so apologies in advance.
I have a factory Granny 4 speed, 4x4 truck that I want to put a tilt column in. I happen to have the automatic tilt column out of an old Chevy R.V. that is era correct.
Is it possible to build a manual tilt column out of the 2?
Would it be smarter just to buy one after market?
Have any of you ever seen such a combination?

Andy4639 · 07-09-2020, 09:05 AM

Hello and welcome to the board.

Use the search feature it will pull up threads all about what you want to do. I have done one and it's not to hard to do if you take your time. It's even easier if you are some one you know can weld aluminum. The bowl is not metal! Ask me how I know, but any way not hard at all. I did this one for my ramp truck. It also has the 4 speed granny gear. I ended up using plumbs putty to fill the holes.
Here is how I did mine.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=760936

**mr48chev** · 07-09-2020, 12:00 PM

Guys used to remove the column shift lever and cut the part of the collar that holds the lever off and fill the hole, sand it down and paint it back years ago before aftermarket columns showed up when they put floor shifts in vehicles. Those were the ones who wanted a finished look, a lot of guys just knocked the pin out, removed the lever and called it good.

The non tilt collar won't work on the tilt column though. I wouldn't tear the old column up anyhow because it is good trading material

I'm going to say that your skill and patience levels become involved when it comes to taking a tilt column apart to do something like fill that shift arm hole in the collar, You may or may not want to take it apart.

Dr.redneck99 · 07-17-2020, 11:49 PM

Thank you both, as for now the original column is going back in, but I will keep this in mind when I pull the tilt out to rebuild it.

lugnut · 07-19-2020, 12:15 AM

I was in the same boat and was thinking of converting an auto column to a floor shift but got some good advice from members and ended up getting a floor shift tilt from Randy500. He is a member here, I'd suggest contacting him. I highly recommend staying away from the method of grinding off the old knob on your auto column and filling in with epoxy. It's your choice but I personally don't like it.

07-08-2020, 02:43 AM	#1
Dr.redneck99 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: NOWATA Posts: 5	Steering column conversion Greetings all, I'm relatively new to the forum, so apologies in advance. I have a factory Granny 4 speed, 4x4 truck that I want to put a tilt column in. I happen to have the automatic tilt column out of an old Chevy R.V. that is era correct. Is it possible to build a manual tilt column out of the 2? Would it be smarter just to buy one after market? Have any of you ever seen such a combination?

07-09-2020, 09:05 AM	#2
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Steering column conversion Hello and welcome to the board. Use the search feature it will pull up threads all about what you want to do. I have done one and it's not to hard to do if you take your time. It's even easier if you are some one you know can weld aluminum. The bowl is not metal! Ask me how I know, but any way not hard at all. I did this one for my ramp truck. It also has the 4 speed granny gear. I ended up using plumbs putty to fill the holes. Here is how I did mine. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=760936 __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

07-09-2020, 12:00 PM	#3
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,705	Re: Steering column conversion Guys used to remove the column shift lever and cut the part of the collar that holds the lever off and fill the hole, sand it down and paint it back years ago before aftermarket columns showed up when they put floor shifts in vehicles. Those were the ones who wanted a finished look, a lot of guys just knocked the pin out, removed the lever and called it good. The non tilt collar won't work on the tilt column though. I wouldn't tear the old column up anyhow because it is good trading material I'm going to say that your skill and patience levels become involved when it comes to taking a tilt column apart to do something like fill that shift arm hole in the collar, You may or may not want to take it apart. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

07-17-2020, 11:49 PM	#4
Dr.redneck99 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: NOWATA Posts: 5	Re: Steering column conversion Thank you both, as for now the original column is going back in, but I will keep this in mind when I pull the tilt out to rebuild it.

07-19-2020, 12:15 AM	#5
lugnut Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Bismarck, ND Posts: 116	Re: Steering column conversion I was in the same boat and was thinking of converting an auto column to a floor shift but got some good advice from members and ended up getting a floor shift tilt from Randy500. He is a member here, I'd suggest contacting him. I highly recommend staying away from the method of grinding off the old knob on your auto column and filling in with epoxy. It's your choice but I personally don't like it. __________________ 1967 Chevrolet 1/2 ton 4x4 1972 GMC 1/2 ton 4x4 2005 1500 4x4 Suburban 2004 GMC Envoy 4x4 (wife's)



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